Moscow Airports Shut Down After Massive Drone Attack Hours After Ruto & African Leaders Left Summit

All four major airports in Moscow were temporarily closed on Thursday and Friday morning. A massive overnight drone attack forced the cancellation of more than 400 flights.

The incident came shortly after President William Ruto and other African leaders attended the Russia-Africa summit hosted by President Vladimir Putin. Russian news outlets reported that the restrictions lasted nearly nine hours.

The Federal Air Transport Agency lifted the measures at Sheremetyevo and Zhukovsky airports at around 8am on Friday. Vnukovo and Domodedovo continued operating under special clearance.

Sheremetyevo recorded the highest number of cancellations at 170. Vnukovo followed with 48 while Domodedovo had four and Zhukovsky one. Vnukovo also recorded 111 delays.

Some planes heading to Moscow were diverted to other airports. St Petersburg’s Pulkovo Airport reportedly received 27 flights as passengers endured long waits.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said 862 drones were launched towards the Moscow region between Thursday evening and Friday morning. He claimed that Russian air defences intercepted many of them before they reached the capital.

Ruto travelled to Russia on Tuesday with First Lady Rachel Ruto and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi. He attended the Third Russia-Africa Summit held from October 28 to 29. Leaders discussed trade and investment and economic cooperation.

Delegations from 48 of Africa’s 54 countries attended the summit. Twenty-two were represented by their heads of state.

The disruption comes amid Russia’s ongoing war with Ukraine. By Friday noon there was no indication that the attack targeted or interfered with the visiting African leaders.

https://x.com/Kenyans/status/2116140338293383569?a=7AL9e8SLTjfIQnFX0k8&s=19

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